Russell Harvard, Susan Pourfar Set for Tribes at Mark Taper Forum

After its extended run at off-Broadway’s Barrow Street Theatre, Nina Raine’s Olivier Award-nominated play Tribes will have its West Coast premiere at the Mark Taper Forum. Two-time Obie Award winner David Cromer (Our Town), who staged the drama in New York, will once again helm the production, set to run February 27 – April 14.

Tribes takes audiences into a raucously erudite family where making yourself heard can often be difficult, particularly for the clan’s youngest member, a man who was born deaf. The production will reunite members of the acclaimed show’s original off-Broadway cast, including Susan Pourfar, who picked up Obie and Theatre World Awards for her work in the show, and Russell Harvard, who received Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel Award nominations for his performance in the piece. The Taper production will also feature original company members Will Brill and Gayle Rankin, along with Lee Roy Rogers and Jeff Still, who took over the roles in the off-Broadway show.

Cromer picked up Obie Awards for his direction of Our Town and the musical The Adding Machine. Among his Broadway credits are Brighton Beach Memoirs and The House of Blue Leaves. Other off-Broadway shows staged by Cromer include When the Rain Stops Falling and Orson’s Shadow.

Raines received the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Foreign Play for Tribes. Among her other works are Rabbit, Tiger Country, and Jumpy.

The creative team for Tribes will include scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Tristan Raines, lighting designer Keith Parham, sound designer Daniel McKluger, and projection designer Jeff Sugg.